Golf training apparatus

ABSTRACT

A golf training aid ( 20 ) comprises a circular hoop ( 22 ) that is inclined or inclinable in use at an angle to the horizontal. A planar surface ( 44 ) is defined extending outwardly from the surface of the upper end ( 42 ) of the hoop and parallel to thc plane or the hoop ( 22 ). The golf training aid ( 20 ) can be used in combination with a club and can assist a golfer in developing an improved swing.

[0001] The present invention relates to golf training apparatus and moreparticularly to apparatus which can assist a golfer in developing animproved swing.

[0002] The swing is undoubtedly one of, if not the, most importantcomponent of a golfer's game. It is a complex composite movement of agolfer's hands, wrists, arms and body and if not properly executed canlead to a ball being mishit.

[0003] Most golfers practice their swing in an empirical manner, forexample by hitting practice balls on a driving range. Developing a swingin this manner is rather unsatisfactory since the golfer will notnecessarily know why he or she has mishit a ball and so be able tocorrect the fault. Also, there is no easy way in which, having hit aball successfully, the golfer can reliably repeat that shot.

[0004] One training aid has been proposed which takes the form of aninclined hoop inside which a golfer stands. The golfer rests his or herclub on the hoop and then swings the club in contact with the hoop. Asthe club is swung, it is constrained to move in a given plane by thehoop, at least at its point of contact with the hoop. This may go someway to improving the swing in that it allows the golfer easily toreproduce a given swing, but it does not provide a fully satisfactorytraining aid in that it fails to address a particularly important areaof the swing, namely the top of the backswing.

[0005] The Applicant has recognised that the optimum swing is achievedwhen the swing occurs in an optimum swing plane. This plane is a planewhich extends generally through the upper sternum of the golfer to theball at the point of striking the ball. In particular, the Applicant hasrecognised that the ball, the golfer's upper sternum, the butt of theclub and the “sweet spot” of the club head (that part of the club headwhich will make optimum contact with the ball) should all lie in theoptimum plane at the top of the backswing and also in the followthrough. Whilst the above described hoop apparatus may to some extentassist a golfer in developing a swing, it does not constrain the swingat the top of the backswing or in the follow through since the shaft ofthe club may rotate around the contact surface of the hoop such that thehead and butt of the club may lie out of the optimum swing plane.

[0006] The present invention seeks to overcome this problem and from afirst aspect the invention provides a golf training aid comprising acircular hoop inclined or inclinable in use at an angle to thehorizontal, and means defining a planar surface extending outwardly fromthe surface of the upper end of the hoop in a direction parallel to theplane of the hoop.

[0007] In accordance with the invention therefore, a planar surface isdefined around the upper end of the hoop in a direction parallel to theplane of the hoop. The planar surface acts to guide the club along theoptimum swing plane more accurately than in existing apparatus,preventing unwanted rotation of the club around the hoop at the top partof the backswing. From a further broad aspect, therefore the inventionprovides a golf training aid comprising a hoop inclined or inclinable inuse at an angle to the horizontal and over whose surface a club may beswung, said hoop comprising means which guides the club to move in agiven plane at the top of the swing.

[0008] The planar surface extends only over a limited circumferentialextent of the hoop. This is because the surface is actually only neededat the top of the hoop, since certain excursions of the club from theoptimum swing plane can be tolerated in the lower parts of the swing.Indeed this is desirable in that it allows a golfer to develop a morenatural swing.

[0009] Typically, therefore, the planar surface extends for only up toabout 120° or less, more preferably about 90°, around the top of thehoop. Preferably the surface is arranged symmetrically with respect tothe vertical centre-line of the hoop.

[0010] The hoop is preferably arcuate, most preferably circular in crosssection, with the planar surface extending tangentially from the contactsurface of the hoop in a direction parallel to the plane of the hoop.The hoop need not be circular in section, but preferably it has anarcuate surface for engaging the club. The contact surface could, forexample, be a semi-circular surface.

[0011] The planar surface need extend outwardly from the hoop only sofar as is needed to provide sufficient guidance for the club. This maybe determined empirically, but in the case of a 6 ft (1.8 m) diameterhoop the planar surface may typically extend for a maximum distance ofabout 18″ (0.5 m). The planar surface should not, however, extend so farthat if it is being used with conventional clubs it interferes with thehead of the club, thereby moving the club head out of plane.

[0012] Preferably the radial depth of the planar surface increases fromthe edges thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the depth is zero at theedges of the surface, which enables a smooth movement of the club ontothe surface. Most preferably the depth increases to a maximum on thecentre-line of the hoop, and the surface is symmetrical therearound.

[0013] In the most preferred embodiment, the outer edge of the surfaceis curved so that the surface resembles a crescent.

[0014] The planar surface may, for example, be defined between co-planarradially inner and outer surfaces, constituted for example by the hoopand a rail extending around the top of the hoop. A potentialdisadvantage of this arrangement is that a club may fall down betweenthe defining surfaces, so preferably the planar surface is substantiallysolid. The surface may, therefore, be formed as an integral part of thehoop, e.g. it may be integrally moulded with a plastics hoop, or it maybe formed on a separate component which is affixed to the hoop eitherpermanently or removable by suitable fixing means, e.g. by welding.

[0015] As stated above, in use the hoop is inclined to the horizontal.Preferably the inclination of the hoop is variable so as to permit theoptimum swing plane to be set for every user. The variation ininclination may be achieved in any suitable manner. For example opposedsides of the hoop may be mounted on respective supports, so as to bepivotable around the horizontal centre-line of the hoop. Preferably,however, the hoop is pivotably mounted at its lower end so that thelower end of the hoop remains in a generally fixed position relative tothe ground.

[0016] The inclination of the hoop may be achieved manually, for exampleby loosening appropriate fixing means and rotating the hoop by hand. Inan alternative arrangement, however, the inclination can be variedpneumatically or hydraulically by a suitable piston arrangement. In asimple embodiment, a hydraulic mechanism may be foot operated.

[0017] The hoop may be mounted on a base having a suitable standingsurface for a user, for example one covered in astroturf, to simulate agolf tee. The base may also act to accommodate any power mechanism forinclining the hoop.

[0018] Ideally, the inclination of the hoop should be set for eachindividual, for example by a coach who can stand to one side of the hoopand align the hoop in the optimum swing plane for the user. However,this plane will vary from user to user, and it may not always bepossible to set the inclination to an individual's precise requirements.In such a case, the hoop may for example be provided with a plurality ofpredetermined inclination settings and the particular inclination for aparticular user based, for example, on height and arm length, bedetermined empirically and suitably displayed with the apparatus, sothat the inclination can then be set to the empirically determined valueby the user.

[0019] The apparatus described so far may be used with a simple golfclub, for example. However, this is not preferred as it may cause damageto the club as it slides over the hoop surface. To alleviate thisproblem the hoop and/or the club may be provided with a low frictioncoating such as PTFE. The club could also be provided with a lowfriction sleeve e.g. of plastics such as PTFE, which fits over the clubshaft.

[0020] Preferably, however, a custom practice club is used with theapparatus to avoid damage to a playing club. The practice club could,for example, comprise just a shaft having a grip and with a frictionreducing sleeve arranged around it. In broad terms, therefore, theinvention also provides a club for use in swinging over an inclined hoopcomprising means provided on the shaft of the club for reducing frictionwith the hoop.

[0021] Preferably, however, a sleeve is rotatably mounted on the clubshaft whereby as the club is moved over the hoop the sleeve can rotateabout the shaft, thereby allowing the club to roll, rather than slide,over the hoop. This acts greatly to reduce friction with the hoop inuse, and produces a much more satisfactory swing. This is in itself anovel arrangement, and from a further aspect the invention provides agolf training club comprising a shaft with a grip at one end and asleeve rotatably mounted about the shaft.

[0022] Preferably rolling bearings such as ball bearings or rollerbearings may be provided at appropriate locations between the shaft andthe sleeve. In a simple embodiment, a bearing may be provided at eachend of the sleeve, although additional bearings may be provided atintermediate locations along the sleeve, if required.

[0023] The sleeve preferably has a surface which promotes rolling of thesleeve on the hoop, for example a surface made of a resilient materialsuch as rubber. The sleeve could be made entirely of that material, butpreferably it comprises a metallic, e.g. a steel tube provided with anappropriate facing. The use of a metallic substrate is advantageous inthat it lends rigidity to the sleeve, and also adds weight to the club.This is important in that it means that the club can be madesignificantly heavier than a normal club. This is potentiallyadvantageous in that apart from acting to improve the golfer's swing itcan act to exercise the golfer. In particular, the apparatus of theinvention can provide a cardiovascular work out for a user as well asbuilding “golfing” muscle in the appropriate body locations andpromoting muscular flexibility.

[0024] A training club for use in apparatus in accordance with theinvention may also be provided with means which limits the rotation ofthe forearms and causes the wrists to hinge in the optimum plane at thetop of the backswing, and the follow through. This is advantageous inthat it promotes an optimum blend of hand, wrist, forearm and bodymovements.

[0025] Preferably the limiting means comprises a planar surface providedon the club which will engage with the planar surface extending from thehoop at the top of the backswing and preferably also on the followthrough. Most preferably, therefore, the club comprises two limitingsurfaces, one for the backswing and one for the follow through. This isin itself a novel arrangement so from a further aspect the inventionprovides a golf practice club comprising a shaft having a grip at oneend, having at least one and preferably two axially extending planarsurfaces mounted to or provided on a portion of the length of the shaft.

[0026] These surface may advantageously be provided on a fin formedintegrally with, or mounted to, the club shaft in such a way that itdoes not rotate relative to the shaft. The fin could, for example, bemoulded onto the shaft.

[0027] Preferably, the planar surfaces on the club are arranged parallelto each other, and they may be joined at their leading edges by ancircularly arcuate section which normally engages the hoop.

[0028] The fin may be made from or coated with a low friction material,but the ‘finned’ club arrangement is preferably combined with therolling sleeve arrangement discussed above. Thus in a particularlypreferred arrangement, the fin is mounted to a fixed shaft of the clubaround which is mounted a rolling sleeve.

[0029] It will be appreciated that the invention also extends to acombination of the hoop apparatus and training clubs as described above.

[0030] Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be describedby way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

[0031]FIG. 1 shows a golfer addressing a golf ball;

[0032]FIG. 2 shows a golfer at the top of the backswing;

[0033]FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of apparatus embodying theinvention;

[0034]FIG. 4 shows a side elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 3;

[0035]FIG. 5 shows a training club for use with the apparatus shown inFIGS. 3 and 4;

[0036]FIG. 6 shows a sectional view on line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

[0037]FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of a training club for use withthe apparatus of FIGS. 3 and 4;

[0038]FIG. 8 is a section along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

[0039]FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of a training club for use withthe apparatus of FIGS. 3 and 4;

[0040]FIG. 10 is an end view of the training club of FIG. 9;

[0041] FIGS. 11A-11G show different phases of a swing using apparatus ofthe invention, viewed from face on; and

[0042] FIGS. 12A-12G show the same phases of a swing, viewed from theside.

[0043] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 1 shows a golfer 2addressing a ball 4. When addressing the ball correctly, the golfer'sfeet 6 should be aimed parallel to the target line (the line extendingbetween the ball 4 and the target). It will be seen that a plane 8extends through the target line, through the ball 4 and through thegolfer's upper sternum 10. The Applicant believes that this is theoptimum swing plane for a golfer. The Applicant believes that thesternum 10 of the golfer, the butt 12 of the golf club 13 and the sweetspot 14 of the club head should all lie in the plane 8 when, as shown inFIG. 2, the golfer is at the top of the backswing and ideally also, atfollow through.

[0044] An apparatus embodying the invention which helps achieve theabove objective is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The apparatus 20 comprises ahoop 22 which is pivotally mounted at its lower end 24 to a base 26 thehoop 22 is circular in shape and may typically have a diameter of 6 feet(1.83 metres). In this embodiment, the hoop 22 is made of steel tube of3″ (75 mm) diameter. However, the hoop may be made of other materialsand may not necessarily be hollow. For example, a lightweight hoop couldbe made from plastics or other similar material.

[0045] The hoop 22 is provided with a bracket 28 at its lower end 24.The bracket 28 is attached to hydraulic means (not shown) within thebase 26 which are operable by a foot lever 30 whereby the bracket may bepivoted in the directions indicated by arrow A on FIG. 4 so as to varythe inclination of the hoop 22 from the horizontal. The base 26 may beprovided with a surface 32 of astroturf or the like for simulating agrass surface.

[0046] Attached to the upper end of the hoop 22 is a fin 40. The fin 40is, in this embodiment, a separate component which is suitably attachede.g. by welding, to the hoop 22 around the upper end 42 of the hoop. Ascan be seen from FIG. 3, the fin 40 is generally crescent shaped and itextends symmetrically for approximately 120° around the upper end of thehoop 22.

[0047] As can be seen most clearly from FIG. 4, the fin 40 has an upperplanar surface 44 which lies flush with the uppermost surface 46 of thehoop 22 and which extends parallel to the axis 48 of the hoop 22. Thusthe planar surface 44 effectively constitutes a planar extension of theupper surface 46 of the hoop around the upper end 42 of the hoop.

[0048] As will be described in greater detail below, in use, a golferwill stand inside the hoop 22 and rest a club on the surface 46 of thehoop 22 and then swing the club in contact with that surface 46. Thisconstrains the club shaft to follow the surface 46 of the ring 22.Furthermore, when the club 13 is at the top of the backswing or at thefollow through, then the club will also engage the planar surface 44 ofthe fin 40 such that the butt of the club, the sweet spot and thesternum lie in a plane 50 defined parallel to the plane of the hoop 22.In this way, the club is maintained in the swing plane at these crucialparts of the swing.

[0049] This constraint is not required at other parts of the swing sinceeach individual has a particular swing style which means that it is infact desirable to allow variation in the angle of the club shaftrelative to the surface 46 as the club descends from the top of thebackswing towards the striking point.

[0050] Whilst it may be possible to use a conventional club with theapparatus described above, it is, however, preferred to use a customisedtraining club. A first embodiment of such a club is shown in FIG. 5.

[0051] This club 60 comprises a shaft 62 having a grip 64 provided onits proximal end and a rubber sleeve 66 provided extending over themajor part of its length towards its distal end. The sleeve 66 isrotatably mounted on the shaft 62 by bearings (not shown) at itsrespective ends 68, 70 whereby the sleeve may effectively roll over theshaft surface. As shown the sleeve is of solid rubber, but it may, infact, comprise a metal, e.g. steel, sleeve 72 (shown in dotted lines inFIG. 6) having a rubber coating. The advantage of this arrangement isthat it adds rigidity to the club, provides improved support for thebearings and it adds weight to the training club 60.

[0052] By virtue of the rubber surface of the training club and itsbearing mounting, it will be appreciated that when the club 60 is placedin contact with the surface 46 of the hoop 22, and swung around the hoop22 it will roll over the hoop surface 46 rather than slide. This willproduce a much smoother action and will also reduce the possibility ofdamage to the ring surface 46.

[0053] The practice club 60 is preferably heavier than a standard clubso that the user of the apparatus will be effectively exercising whilstusing the apparatus which will not only give cardio-vascular benefitsbut also help to build and improve muscle in the appropriate areas forthe swing.

[0054] A second embodiment of club suitable for use with the inventionis shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this embodiment, a club 80 comprises ashaft 82 on whose distal end 84 is provided a grip 86. A generallyteardrop shaped sleeve 90 extends over the distal end 92 of the shaft82. The sleeve 90 may be a separate component, suitably attached to theshaft 82 or, for example be integrally formed with the shaft, forexample by insert moulding with the shaft 82.

[0055] The sleeve 90 is, therefore, preferably of plastics and, mostpreferably of a low friction plastic such as PTFE so as to reducefriction with the ring 22 in use. As can be seen best from FIG. 8, thesleeve 90 comprises two planar surfaces 94 and 96 which are parallel toeach other and extend tangentially rearwardly from the semi-circularsection nose 98 of the sleeve 90. Upon addressing the ball the trailingedge 99 of the sleeve 90 should be pointing away from the golfer's body.The advantage of the planar surfaces 94, 96 is that in use, when thegolfer approaches the top of the backswing the surface 94 will come intocontact with the planar surface 44 on the fin 40. This will give anaudible indication that the club 80 is in the upper most part of thebackswing. Furthermore, it will also prevent the further rotation of theclub shaft relative to the fin 40 so as to maintain the user's forearmsin the correct position for optimum swing.

[0056] After the stroke has taken place and the follow through occursthen the opposite surface 96 of the sleeve 90 will come into contactwith the fin 40 again preventing over-rotation of the golfer's forearms.

[0057] A third embodiment of training club for use with the apparatusFIGS. 3 and 4 is disclosed in FIGS. 9 and 10. In fact, the club 100 ofthis embodiment is a hybrid of the clubs of FIGS. 5 to 8. In particular,the club 100 comprises a shaft 102 having a grip 104 provided at itsproximal end. A fin 106 having parallel planar surfaces 108 and 110 isfixedly attached to the shaft 102 at its respective ends 112, 114.Accordingly, there can be no relative movement between the shaft 102 andthe fin 106. However, a rolling sleeve 116 is also mounted on the shaft102, in a manner similar to that in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6.Thus the sleeve 116 may rotate on the shaft 102 so that in use, the clubcan roll over the hoop surface 46 and at the same time the fin surfaces108, 110 still come into contact with the fin surface 44 at the top ofthe backswing and in the follow through.

[0058] The execution of a swing using apparatus in accordance with theinvention will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 whichshow different phases in a swing being made using apparatus inaccordance with the invention.

[0059] In FIGS. 11A and 12A, the golfer 120 using a roller club 60 asshown in FIGS. 5 and 6 takes stance in the middle of the hoop 22 withthe roller 66 of the club 60 resting on the hoop 22. The golfer's feetare aligned parallel to the target line.

[0060]FIGS. 11B and 12B show a golfer half way through the backswing. Inmoving from the position shown in FIGS. 11A and 12A to that shown inFIGS. 11B and 12B, the roller 66 of the club 60 rolls over the surface46 of the hoop 22. As can be seen, the golfer has turned his shouldersand upper body to initiate the swing.

[0061] In FIGS. 11C and 12C, the golfer is approaching the top of thebackswing. The golfer's forearms are obliged to roll as the shoulder andbody turn continues and as shown in FIG. 12C, the golfer's weight istransferred to the right foot. The roller 66 has also now moved onto theplanar surface 44.

[0062] In FIGS. 11D and 12D, the golfer has now reached the top of thebackswing. In this position the golfer's wrists are hinged through 90°from their rest position and the roller 66 of the club 60 is now lyingflat on the planar surface 44 of the fin 40. At this position thegolfer's sternum, the butt of the club and the distal end of the clubare all lying in a plane which lies parallel to the surface of the hoop22. This corresponds to the optimal swing plane. The planar surface 44of the fin 40 ensures that hinging of the golfer's wrist occurs in theoptimal plane during this part of the swing.

[0063] In FIGS. 11E and 12E, the golfer has commenced the downswing andhis body weight shifts to his left leg. The roller has moved along thefin 40 and rejoins the hoop surface 46.

[0064]FIGS. 11F and 12F, show the impact position. As can be seen,although the sweetspot of the club and the golfer's upper sternum lie inthe optimal plane, the whole club does not, and the butt of the clublies below the plane. This is not of particular importance, and theactual position of the butt of the club will depend upon the individualgolfer's swing. The momentum of the rolling club will carry the playeron through the impact position.

[0065]FIGS. 11G and 12G show a follow through position in which theplayer's weight has moved even more onto the left foot, the hands andforearms roll over each other and a wide arch is encouraged by the clubsrolling momentum. The roller 66 of the club 60 still maintains contactwith the surface 46 of the hoop 22.

[0066] Finally, FIGS. 11H and 12H show the end of the swing, with thegolfer in a full follow through position. It is in some respects amirror of the position shown in FIGS. 11D and 12D. In this position, theroller 66 of the club 60 again lies flat on the fin 40 such that theclub head, butt and the golfer's upper body lie in the optimal swingplane.

[0067] In use, the golfer would build a swing slowly from the restposition shown in FIGS. 11A and 12A to a full swing. In particular, in awarm-up the golfer may only swing through the bottom half of the hoop22, slowly building towards a full swing. It will be appreciated thatthe equipment will not only improve the golfer's swing but would also bea useful form of exercise, particularly when the club 60 being used isweighted so as to be heavier than a normal club.

[0068] It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments aregiven by way of example only and that various modifications thereto maybe made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example,the rolling sleeve 66 of the clubs shown in FIGS. 5 and 9 may be made ofany suitable material which will allow a rolling engagement with thering surface 46. Rubber is given as merely one suitable example andothers will be apparent to the skilled person. Furthermore, the fin 44which is shown as a separate component in FIGS. 3 and 4 need notnecessarily be so and it would be possible, for example, to form thisintegrally with the hoop 22. Furthermore, the hoop itself can be of someother material than metal, for example plastics and indeed this may bedesirable in a low cost application, such as one as may be used at home.Also, the hoop 22 need not be a circular section tube, but could haveother sections, for example a D section.

[0069] It will also be appreciated that the ring may be supported bymeans other than those specifically shown, for example by supports atopposed sides thereof. Furthermore, although a hydraulically operatedmechanism is disclosed for varying the angle of inclination of the hoop22, it is anticipated that this could be done, for example manually, inless expensive versions of the apparatus, or even through other meanssuch as electric motors.

[0070] It is anticipated that the invention may be applied in severalareas. For example, it could very usefully be installed at golf clubsand driving ranges where a user may practice a swing before playing agame or before hitting some practice balls. However, it is equallyanticipated that the equipment could be installed, for example, inhealth clubs and such like where users may not only take the opportunityto improve their golfing swing but also exercise using the equipment.

[0071] It will be clear that the equipment in accordance with theinvention can be provided with ancillary equipment such as video camerameans which will allow a user to analyse his or her action during use ofthe equipment, audio visual means to give information to users on how touse the equipment, and setting tables giving information which allowsthe hoop to be set at the appropriate angle for a user depending on hisor her height, arm length and so on.

[0072] All such arrangements are intended to fall within the scope ofthe invention.

1. A golf training aid comprising a circular hoop inclined or inclinablein use at an angle to the horizontal, and means defining a planarsurface extending outwardly for a limited circumferential extent fromthe surface of the upper end of the hoop in a direction parallel to theplane of the hoop.
 2. A golf training aid as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe planar surface extends for only up to about 120° around the top ofthe hoop.
 3. A golf training aid as claimed in claim 2 wherein theplanar surface extends for about 90° around the top of the hoop.
 4. Agolf training aid as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the planarsurface is arranged symmetrically with respect to the verticalcentre-line of the hoop.
 5. A golf training aid as claimed in anypreceding claim 1 wherein the hoop is at least partially circular incross section.
 6. A golf training aid as claimed in any preceding claimwherein the radial depth of the planar surface increases from the edgesthereof.
 7. A golf training aid as claimed in claim 6 wherein the depthis zero at the edges of the surface and increases to a maximum aroundthe centre-line of the hoop.
 8. A golf training aid as claimed in claim6 or 7 wherein the planar surface is crescent shaped.
 9. A golf trainingaid as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the planar surface isdefined between coplanar radially inner and outer surfaces.
 10. A golftraining aid as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the planarsurface is solid.
 11. A golf training aid as claimed in claim 10 whereinthe planar surface is formed as an integral part of the hoop.
 12. A golftraining aid as claimed in claim 10 wherein the planar surface is formedon a component which is affixed to the hoop.
 13. A golf training aid asclaimed in any preceding claim wherein the inclination of the hoop isvariable.
 14. A golf training aid as claimed in claim 13 wherein thehoop is pivotably mounted at its lower end.
 15. A golf training aid asclaimed in any preceding claim further comprising a base having astanding surface for a user to which the base the hoop is, mounted. 16.Golf training apparatus comprising a golf training aid as claimed in anypreceding claim in combination with a club.
 17. Golf training apparatusas claimed in claim 16 wherein the hoop surface and/or the club isprovided with a low friction coating such as PTFE.
 18. Golf trainingapparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the club is provided with a lowfriction sleeve around the shaft-thereof.
 19. Golf training apparatus asclaimed in any of claims 16 to 18 wherein a sleeve is rotatably mountedon the club shaft.
 20. Golf training apparatus as claimed in claim 19wherein the tolling surface of the club is of a material which promotesrolling of the sleeve on the hoop.
 21. Golf training apparatus asclaimed in claims 19 or 20 wherein the sleeve comprises a metallic tubeprovided with a rolling material facing.
 22. Golf training apparatus asclaimed in any of claims 19 to 21 wherein the club comprises at leastone and preferably two planar surfaces extending axially along andradially outwardly of the club shaft.
 23. Golf training apparatus asclaimed in claim 22 comprising a pair of parallel planar surfaces. 24.Golf training apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein said surfaces areprovided on a fin formed integrally with, or mounted to, the club shaft.25. Golf training apparatus as claimed in claim 24 wherein the fin ismounted to a fixed shaft of the club around which is mounted a rollingsleeve.